+_+
Charest’s troubles only magnify Ignatieff woes in Quebec
Wed, 2010-08-25 00:57
#1
Charest’s troubles only magnify Ignatieff woes in Quebec
Wed, 2010-08-25 01:13
#2
What a devastating picture is painted here for the Ignatieff Liberals in Quebec, especially the last sentence of the article. I know people here have said that Ignatieff will lead the Liberals into their next political disaster.....er, election, but how much pain should any one person be forced to endure. Ignatieff needs to go for a nice stroll in the Gatineau, enjoy the approaching Autumn, then come back and do all the Liberals a big favour by throwing in the towel. Enough is enough.
Charest's troubles only magnify Ignatieff woes in Quebec
Charest's troubles could not come at a worse time for Ignatieff. Their two parties may be separate but when one is in trouble, the Liberal brand takes a hit. To make matters worse, a debate over provincial Liberal ethics cannot but raise the spectre of the federal party's recent sponsorship troubles.
The federal Liberals have been flatlined in the polls in Quebec since Denis Coderre quit as lieutenant last fall. In the spring, former minister Lucienne Robillard was brought in to provide adult supervision to the quarrelsome Quebec wing. And this week, former justice minister Martin Cauchon is expected to join the leader's tour in an advising capacity.
Mutual need rather than mutual attraction is at the root of this association. In Quebec circles, Cauchon is known as an unabashed critic of Ignatieff. His ambition to become the next leader is better known than his game plan for dislodging the NDP from his former riding of Outremont in the next election.
But winning Outremont will be even more problematic for Cauchon if his leader does not improve his game in Quebec.
And yet it was not so long ago that Ignatieff was widely seen as the answer to the prayers of Quebec's federal Liberals.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/851856--hebert-charest-s-trou...
Wed, 2010-08-25 01:21
#3
I agree that Charest's problems are hurting the federal Liberals right now. It probably will continue until Charest goes.
Wed, 2010-08-25 01:27
#4
She also points out that Cauchon doesn't appear to have a game plan for winning Outremont back, and is focused instead on winning the next leadership.
Wed, 2010-08-25 01:42
#5
She also points out that Cauchon doesn't appear to have a game plan for winning Outremont back, and is focused instead on winning the next leadership.
I'm not sure if that's exactly what she's saying. She seems to be saying that Cauchon's desire to become Liberal leader is better known than what his strategy is for winning Outremont. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a plan for Outremont (he may be playing that close to the vest to keep it a secret until the next election.)
He might not really need a big game plan for Outremont though. He can win the riding back if the Liberals have good numbers in the province. But as Hebert says, if the Liberals don't have good support in Quebec, it would become more of a challenge for him to win the riding.
Wed, 2010-08-25 02:15
#6
Actually it seems quite clear what the author is saying, and OO's assessment is of course correct.
Mutual need rather than mutual attraction is at the root of this association. In Quebec circles, Cauchon is known as an unabashed critic of Ignatieff. His ambition to become the next leader is better known than his game plan for dislodging the NDP from his former riding of Outremont in the next election.
But winning Outremont will be even more problematic for Cauchon if his leader does not improve his game in Quebec.
And yet it was not so long ago that Ignatieff was widely seen as the answer to the prayers of Quebec's federal Liberals.
Wed, 2010-08-25 02:52
#7
Here's Cauchon and Ignatieff in Montreal last month and a statement by Cauchon on his way to Outremont:
http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/martin-cauchon-friday-in-montreal/
Wed, 2010-08-25 03:17
#8
Cueball
I am curious. I have seen you posting here fore a while, but for the life of me other than an interest in poll numbers, which seems to verge on the kind of interest people have in off track betting, I have absolutely no idea what policies and political views you support or oppose.
Wed, 2010-08-25 05:38
#9
seems to be saying that Cauchon's desire to become Liberal leader is better known than what his strategy is for winning Outremont. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a plan for Outremont (he may be playing that close to the vest to keep it a secret until the next election.)
He might not really need a big game plan for Outremont though. He can win the riding back if the Liberals have good numbers in the province. But as Hebert says, if the Liberals don't have good support in Quebec, it would become more of a challenge for him to win the riding.
Translation: if there is a big Liberal wave, Cauchon could ride it to victory.
Sounds like a typical Liberal plan: "they are coming to us."
Wed, 2010-08-25 10:27
#10
The Liberals should take some solace in the fact that there are enough Liberals in Quebec to form both pro- and anti-Ignatieff camps.
Wed, 2010-08-25 12:48
#11
LOL, Uncle John. ;-)
Wed, 2010-08-25 12:50
#12
Here's Cauchon and Ignatieff in Montreal last month and a statement by Cauchon on his way to Outremont:
http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/martin-cauchon-friday-in-montreal/
This doesn't say a bloody thing. It's supposed to get us worried about Cauchon?
Wed, 2010-08-25 13:19
#13
By the way, I'm reading some more analysis on the recent Angus Reid numbers in Quebec, and they're not exactly glowing for either Marois or Charest.
The PLQ is regaining a bit of ground from amongst the folks who voted that way in 2008 (back up to 80% of them from 60% of them in the spring), although most want Charest to leave as leader. But Pauline Marois is not exactly beloved as the head of the PQ, and the majority of that party's supporters want her to leave as well.
This is what makes me start to wonder whether Gilles Duceppe's year-long campaign ... first across Canada, then across Quebec, and now in Europe ... might not be a prelude to him being open to seize advantage of the vacuum in provincial politics, and try to make the switch. Of course, it would have to be done deliicately, and there might not be an opening. But politicos abhor a vacuum almost as much as mother nature herself. I'd be interested to know what folks closer to the ground in Quebec think about how the next few months may unfold there, and what implications that might have nationally.
Fri, 2010-08-27 01:40
#14
Well said Cue.
Waiting, waiting, waiting..............for a response.
I am curious. I have seen you posting here fore a while, but for the life of me other than an interest in poll numbers, which seems to verge on the kind of interest people have in off track betting, I have absolutely no idea what policies and political views you support or oppose.